South Bay Digest

P.V. Estates

The city is moving to improve traffic controls at a problem intersection in Malaga Cove where three people were killed in traffic accidents between 1981 and 1983. Plans call for street widening and installation of a 10-foot median at the triangular intersection where Palos Verdes Drive North meets Palos Verdes Drive West near the Malaga Cove Plaza.

"This has been a difficult intersection for years," said Ross Meadows, public works director. "It was rebuilt in 1976. Some phases of the intersection were improved, but others evidently were not."

Meadows said the median is intended to prevent cars from crossing into oncoming traffic. "We have had quite a lot of crossover accidents," he said.

The City Council this week called for bids to design and engineer the improvements, which will be financed by a $324,000 Caltrans hazard elimination safety grant and $36,000 in city funds. Meadows said he wants the work under way by next summer.

Meadows said two liability lawsuits are pending against the city because of other accidents at the intersection. "Both are using the intersection design against the city," he said.